Digital Literacy Essentials

This beginner-friendly course builds essential digital skills for everyday life, study, and work.

Learn how to use devices, navigate the internet, communicate and collaborate online, and work with tools such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and AI.

You’ll also explore online safety, privacy, and digital identity, helping you feel confident using technology in an increasingly digital world.

Learning and teaching

The course is delivered across ten weekly two-hour sessions at LEARN and is complemented by online learning activities.

In-person sessions include talks and pair and group work, while online activities (discussion forum, quizzes, and practical exercises) allow you to consolidate and extend your learning between sessions.

The structured, varied format ensures a supported pace, with regular contact with your tutor throughout.

The course moves through four broad areas. You begin with the essentials: understanding your devices, navigating the internet, and finding and evaluating information online.

You then develop your communication and collaboration skills, exploring tools such as email, video conferencing, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Generative AI.

The course also gives substantial attention to staying safe and responsible online, covering privacy, cybersecurity, and managing your digital identity and reputation.

It concludes by looking at how to keep growing with technology, building the habits and confidence to continue learning independently in an increasingly digital world.

Coursework and assessment

Your course mark is made up of three components.

You will create a Learning Plan that maps out how you intend to continue developing your digital literacy knowledge and skills beyond the course.

You will also build a Portfolio of outputs using digital tools, thus demonstrating the practical skills you have developed.

Finally, you will take part in a short verification video call with your tutor to discuss your Learning Plan and Portfolio.

Regular attendance and active participation are expected.

Reading suggestions

To be provided by your tutor during the course.

Library and computing facilities

As a student on this course you are entitled to join and use the University’s library and computing facilities. Find out more about using these facilities.

Accessibility

Our aim is access for all. We aim to provide a confidential advice and support service for any student with a long term medical condition, disability or specific learning difficulty. We are able to offer one-to-one advice about disability, pre-enrolment visits, liaison with tutors and co-ordinating lecturers, material in alternative formats, arrangements for accessible courses, assessment arrangements, loan equipment and dyslexia screening.